Fourteen Days Ago
ISI Base of Operations
Counterintelligence Branch

The Junior Analyst raised her hand and voice to gain the attention of her Commanding Officer, “Ma’am!” The other agents looked up at the noise - some in dismay, others in jealousy - to see the young analyst’s hand waving impatiently. A duo in the rear made a joke and snickered in unison.

Their behavior received a strong retort from the Commanding Officer, “You!” She indicated the pair in the rear. “If you are not here to do your job, get the fwec out of my command node and get lost from Cocytus before the Force Users find out.”

“Too late,” a cool voice said from above. Situated at the top of the observation deck, Braecen Kaeth stood beside his Aedile, Alara Deathbane, and looked disapprovingly down on the pair of Junior Analysts. His ice blue eyes and her sharp amber eyes unnerved the duo and forced them to look away. Hurriedly, they immersed themselves back into the duties of their station. The Force Adept let them off with a final warning, “Never let it happen again. Or else.”

Alara, the Quaestor’s new Apprentice, observed the interaction. She recorded the incident in her mind, taking note for her eventual rise to the rank of Executor. The Mystic was as bright a star as the Junior Analyst below - who still had not spoken to her Commanding Officer - on her path to being a critical element of Scholae Palatinae’s next Golden Age.

The Commanding Officer made her way to the agent’s desk. “Danialla, is it?” She inquired and received a nod in confirmation. “Tell me what you have found.”

Glowing, the young woman with hair like fire began to excitedly reveal her find. “I believe,” she started, “that I have found an encrypted communication with an Imperial code. It’s dated, assuredly, but the encryption is very secure and was - not yet - cracked by our Senior Analysts. What makes it special is-”

Her words were cutoff by the higher ranking Officer. “I will have it sent out immediately for decryption, Danialla.”

From above, Alara - the half-Sephi - inquired, “I believe you had more to add, Danialla?” The Junior Analyst hesitated as she looked from the Aedile to her superior. “Go on,” Alara urged, “I’m sure the Senior Analyst would not interrupt your report to the Executor.” The half-Sephi gave a quick look to the Quaestor who nodded in confirmation.

The Commanding Officer’s eyes widened in surprise. “I took the liberty of cracking the encryption, and determined the communication was coming from Ptolomea. I believe this is where their base of operations is currently located. My recommendation is to dispatch agents to investigate the source of these transmissions; they appear to be setting up an operation within the Cocytus System.”

The Senior Analyst whom resided over the Junior Analysts nodded in approval, “Good effort, Junior Analyst. I will be sure to tell our superiors about your initiative.”

“No need,” Braecen spoke quietly, but firmly. “I have already seen to it that Danialla has been promoted to Analyst and assigned to help you lead this station’s efforts.” The young agent audibly gulped and her Commanding Officer frowned at the news. The landscape was changing within the Empire - both internally and externally.

Thirteen Days Ago
Ruins on Ptolomea
Outskirts of Bronato

The shuttle came in low over the horizon. Wingtips skimmed over the trees below as the tactical response agents of the Imperial Scholae Intelligence moved towards their objective. The counterintelligence branch had determined that unknown adversaries had infiltrated the Cocytus System. It was their job to root out who these individuals were, report that information back to their superiors, and await further orders.

Such insurgency forces had attempted to gain a foothold in the Cocytus Empire, but House Excidium and the ISI had been successful in their counter operations thus far. The last group to attempt such a position had been the Lotus Resistance - an advocacy group opposed to the Grand Master of the Brotherhood’s rule. These agents had been sent in to disperse those forces and remind any usurpers that this space was ruled by the Emperor.

The shuttle banked to the left before it evened out its flight path and began its immediate descent. The repulsorlifts whined in protest against the sudden change in momentum, the gravity pushing down upon the occupants, before the shuttle roughly settled onto its extended landing gear. A final sigh from the shuttle indicated they had come to a rest; equilibrium returned to the agents inside as the ramp lowered before them. In unison, they raced from the shuttle towards the location of the communications uncovered by their analysts. Footfalls crashed down on the rough terrain as they moved to flank the position of their target.

They never saw the incoming attack.

Lead by a low ranking Inquisitor, the Iron Legion forces opened fire from cover. The sound of blaster bolts screamed through the night air as they lanced outward into the converging ISI forces. As the troops scattered to find cover, the Inquisitor - a Force User - carved through their ranks with a red-white lightsaber. The attacks were decisive, but not well camouflaged or discrete; a telling sign that the Inquisitor had not been initiated into the further ranks.

In a matter of moments, the Empire’s soldiers were routed. As they attempted to retreat, the precision of the Iron Legion’s troops funneled them into the awaiting blade of the Grand Master’s Inquisitor. As the final soldier fell, the Inquisitor deactivated the blade and turned towards an Iron Legion Sergeant, “Retrace their path. I want the shuttle that brought these men… disabled.” Orders were barked and the remaining soldiers disappeared to execute their orders. The Inquisitor examined the bodies; checking to ensure they were from the Empire’s vaunted security branch. The weapon loadouts matched his reports and one of the troopers had a tattoo from his time as a soldier in the Empire.

A bright light of an explosion blossomed in the background. The troopers had located the shuttled and removed the threat. Permanently. The Inquisitor activated his secure communication device, a holo-projection rose before him to reveal a shrouded figure. “My Lord,” he whispered, “it appears our efforts in the Cocytus System have been discovered. How would you like me to proceed?”

The shrouded figure considered his report for a moment. His voice held the firm tone of command in his response, “Proceed with the initial plan. I want you to further disable the stability of the Emperor and his Empire. It was not wholly unexpected that they would discover our efforts, but they did so much quicker than anticipated. Work fast or risk the peril of being exposed.”

“And if they discover me, My Lord?”

“Give them nothing. Die an honorable death or face my wrath.”

Eight Days Ago
Silent Death Citadel
Caina

Blizzard winds echoed across the Cainan wasteland while the spirit of the frozen world howled with deathly sorrow in the mountains. Those howls reached into the halls of the black hidden structure that blended in perfectly with the mountains under the protection of the winds. The Silent Citadel stood strong against the storm, protecting the few inhabitants of Tacitus Athanasius.

Snow filtered in through the carved windows that provided light into the main hallway as Shadow Nighthunter looked out into the ice-conquered land. Her golden eyes pierced through the blizzard, searching for an unknown discovery hidden within the tempest. The dark side whispered to her, trying to awaken her predatory side with promises of new prey.

The whispers dissipated when the sound of boots striking the stone floor alerted the Shadow Wolf of her second’s presence. She closed her eyes and exhaled, her breath forming into a dancing mist before escaping into the world of night. “Not often do you pay me a visit, Kylex.”

“Normally I’m out performing your will or engaging in some form of trouble,” the Mandalorian responded as he studied the Battlemaster. “One of your agents has come bearing news of activity on Ptolomea.”

The half-Sephi’s ears perked up at the mention of her former battle team’s base world. “Is that right? Where is he?”

“In the ritual chamber,” Kylex replied. “I made sure he saw nothing during our trip from Daemon.”

“Good. Let’s get to it then.”

The woman took the lead as both she and her second made their way to the ritual chamber that also served as Shadow’s office when taking care of business. Thoughts of what could be going on swirled in the Sith’s mind as she wondered what would be so important on the homeworld of the late Caliburnus. Only the agent would hold the answers that would quell her curiosity.

It was not long before the two Sith found themselves at the stone doors which hid the chamber. Shadow pushed open the doors. The screeching of stone scratching against stone echoing throughout the citadel. On the other side was a blindfolded agent who was under the watchful eyes of the Battlemaster’s pacing anooba and Derek Cinn. With a wave of his leader’s hand, the younger Sith bowed and left the chamber with Kylex closing the doors behind him.

As Shadow took her seat at the obsidian throne and gestured for her beast to join her side, she focused on the agent before her.“I hear tell you have information for me. Please, do share.”

The Zabrak agent shifted his position, annoyed by the blindfold. “Seems ISI has been at work in the system. A few of their agents were sent out a few days ago across the system. Only a day into their investigation did one of them go dark on Ptolomea. The others were sent in, but none of them ever reported back.”

The news of the ISI agents going missing troubled her. The Battle Team Leader pensively brought her hand to her chin. “Have we any idea what happened to them?”

“Ghost and I were at the outpost on Ptolomea when we started hearing of the disappearances. Ghost went to investigate, and found a discarded body of an ISI agent.”

“Did he describe the injuries?”

“Blaster shot through the head.”

“Well that doesn’t help,” Kylex muttered.

“Indeed. All the more reason I appreciate you volunteering to go investigate the situation yourself, Kylex.”

The Mandalorian glared at the Shadow Wolf unamused, but bowed his head in respect. “I’ll leave right away.”

Kylex turned to exit for the room, cocking his head backwards, looking at Derek. “Alert the other members, we are going hunting.”

“Right away!” Derek responded, heading towards the dormitory halls.

“Oh, and Kylex,” Shadow added, “Send Zehsaa to me. Alara will need Zehsaa to accompany her on a mission for the Quaestor. You’re dismissed.”

The Knight bowed his head once more and left the throne chamber. Excitement pulsated through Kylex’s veins. It was finally time to prove himself as a worthy Sergeant to the Battleteam. The fact that he had his beloved friends, whom were practically family members, to come with him was a desireable bonus. He dialed the hangar bay’s command code on his datapad and requested a shuttle be prepared for their journey. As he continued down the onyx, yet well-lit halls of Silent Death Citadel, Zehsaa Hys, Derek Cinn, and Katyusha Neige joined his side.

“Can’t bring along the baby this time, or what?” Kylex joked, nudging Katyusha in the elbow.

“Oy!” Katyusha laughed a rather joyful laugh, “Alara and Shadow hired me a nanny, actually*.”*

“Ooo… aren’t you special.” Derek poked fun at his fellow battle team member.

“We all are special to Shadow and Alara. We are blood now, remember? Now let’s get focused on the mission, guys.” Zehsaa spoke calmly. “Where exactly are we going?”

“Some ISI agents have been playing a disappearing act on Ptolomea. Shadow has asked that we investigate on the planet.” Kylex relayed his orders to the crew. “However, Shadow has summoned you Zee. You’re going to accompany Alara on a quest from Braecen.”

“Ooo! I blame wookiees. Sounds far too suspicious for it not to be wookiees.” Derek grinned widely. With a chuckle, Kylex grabbed his friend’s head and gave him a noogie.

“That has me very curious. Thank you Kylex. Best of wishes to all of you on the journey. The sharpest knives for the darkest nights!” Zehsaa waved to her family.

“The sharpest knives for the darkest nights!” the team spoke together in unison. They each waved goodbye-for-now to Zehsaa as they watched her gracefully and briskly walk towards the throne chamber with her bare feet.

The team continued through the passageway and ran into some servants cleaning the halls, which prompted each and every one of them to hold their heads high and their spines straight. Their anticipation grew with every step as they finally reached the shuttle bay.

“Everyone get in. No time to waste.” Kylex ushered in his fellow battle team members proudly. Derek immediately sat at the helm, and once everyone was safely inside, began lifting the steering upwards, pointing towards the stars.

“Going on a mission, going on a mission,” Katyusha chimed under her breath, clipping herself into a seat belt.

“Follow my lead when we get to the planet. Let’s stick together to ensure welfare and punctuality.” Kylex stood next to Derek’s seat and addressed Tacitus Athanasius further. “Shadow wants news as soon as possible.”

“This is going to be quite the show…” a smile crept upon Derek’s young face. His emerald eyes flickered with several hues of delight.

Seven Days Ago
Outskirts of Bronato
Ptolomea

Kylex stared out into the sprawling city of Bronato, light pouring out into the dark sky as distant sounds of blaster fire could be heard. The Sith looked at the small group that stood with him atop a large building. Derek had been adjusting his armour. Katyusha looked at the white haired Mandalorian that towered over her, refocusing her thought on the mission about to commence.

“Alright people.” Kylex said authoritatively, turning and facing the group. “Our mission, is to locate the missing ISI agents and bring them back to the Boss. Derek, I want you too look around the East and West parts of the slums. Kat, you are with me.”

Each member nodded in agreement. Derek disappeared off the building. Kylex turned to Kat, his violet eyes shimmering with excitement as he slid his helmet on.

“Let's go.” He said to the Acolyte as he jumped from the ledge, plummeting before breaking his fall with a quick burst from his jetpack and landing on the roof of a smaller building. Kat followed quickly, planting her grappling hook onto the ledge and repelling down, quickly landing next to the Knight. Kylex nodded before the two Sith took off at a run swiftly across the rooftops.

The large city of Bronato had been transformed into the hunting ground for the assassins of Tacitus Athanasius; relentlessly searching for the ISI agents or a clue to their whereabouts. Derek had been the first one to spot their targets. He peeked his head around a corner and looked at the building. Intelligence had indicated the building had recently been vacated, but the soldiers patrolling on the front doorstep conflicted with that. He promptly notified the others of the discrepancy. If the ISI agents had gone missing, a paramilitary operation in an abandoned building seemed like a good place to start looking.

“I’ve found them. This has to be the place. I can see an Inquisitor and what appears to be a Sergeant or Commanding Officer through a window,” the young Knight relaid to the others. “I also can see six Iron Legion soldiers on guard or patrolling the area. Why am I not surprised Pravus’ henchmen are here?”

“Good work D, converging on your location now.” Kylex replied as he jumped from roof to roof with Katyusha in hot pursuit.

The two Sith came to a halt on a rooftop overlooking the street below. They looked across and saw Derek poke his head out from behind cover on the other side of the street. A quick nod was all they needed to communicate their plan. Four soldiers patrolled the streets at specific intervals; their pattern etched into Kylex’s mind by the fourth circuit of their paths. The members of Tacitus Athanasius began their attack.

Kat leapt from her perch atop the building. She landed hard, drew her vibroblade and swiftly moved into the shadows of the alley - her path converging with the eventual path of her prey. She lunged with open ferocity, the tip of her blade leading the charge. The blade’s teeth sank into his neck with a satisfying sound. Kat ripped the blade away and blood chased in its wake. As the soldier fell, she turned her attention and momentum towards a second Iron Legion trooper. Their paths crossed in a blind spot from where others could see their fellow soldier. She stabbed the next soldier in the throat with her wrist blade.

Derek jumped out of cover, abandoning his safe position as he dashed forward towards the two remaining enemies. The suddenness of the attack startled both soldiers momentarily before they raised their blaster rifles. Viciously, Derek impaled the first opponent with his lightsaber. A sudden stench of of burned flesh wafted through his nostrils. The smell was repulsive. It was also distracting, giving the second soldier time to fire off several shots at his newly found foe from Tacitus Athanasius. Derek improvised, he turned the dead soldier on his blade into the incoming blaster fire - the meat shield absorbing the lethal bolts of emerald energy.

“Whats going on out there?” said the man who looked like the Commanding Officer. He was now looking out from the window. He narrowly avoided a shuriken thrown by Kylex as the Knight jumped down from the roof. The trooper who had been firing at Derek did not fare so well. He took one of the deadly objects in the chest. The blow had not been lethal, but the surprise of it had given Derek the moment he needed to cross the distance between them. The lightsaber in the chest was, unlike the throwing weapon, lethal despite the armor. Kylex landed lightly, grabbed his lightsaber, and ignited it with a snap-hiss. Katyusha and Derek joined him - flanking to his right and left - as they stood at the front of the building. More prepared than ever before to execute the will of the Shadow Wolf.

“The Inquisitor,” Kylex pointed at the man in the distinctive robes of their Society, *“Mistress Shadow wants to have a word with him.” Kylex grinned while he kicked the door between his team and the pair off its hinges. The trio stormed into the building. Quickly, they ducked behind cover as blaster fire rained down from the stairwell. Derek, quick to action, unclipped his frag grenade and tossed it up the stairs. In a blinding flash of light and heat, the enemy emplacement was torn to shreds. Silence - ringing silence - followed the violent explosion as dust and debris fell from the walls.

Kylex looked out from behind the large desk he was taking refuge behind. He spotted two figures standing in the unsettled dust. A red blade sprang to the defense the nearest figure as it dashed towards where Katyusha was hiding.

“Kat! Duck!” Kylex and Derek yelled simultaneously. Kat instinctively ducked as the blade cleaved through the space her head previously occupied a moment ago . She leapt back as she ignited her own blade. The second figure raised a rotary blaster cannon, he menacingly spun the barrels. Kylex swore to himself, as he vaulted quickly over the desk, charging the Iron Legion Sergeant.

Derek joined Kat, quickly bringing his white blade down on the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor chuckled, precisely blocking Derek's strike before kicking Kat square in the chest. She landed with a thud. Driven by need, she flipped back onto her feet and charged forward, her arm raised upward to attack. The Inquisitor went to block, but was distracted with Derek’s persistence - jabbing his blade high then low, right then left. The Inquisitor screamed in frustration as he tried to defend against both opponents. Derek caught his blade in a saber lock, preventing him from tearing free without sacrificing his weapon. It was a moment frozen in time as the Inquisitor looked over the blade into his opponent’s eyes before a motion to his right turned his focus.

Kat’s fist slammed into the temple of her foe with a resounding crack. The Inquisitor swayed for a moment before his body pitched over. Derek caught the heavy man and laid him down before turning to Kylex. A grin on his lips - that vanished immediately.

“We have him, mission was a success... WHAT IN BLUE BLAZES ARE YOU DOING?!” Derek yelled as he looked at Kylex who was covered in blood. His two butterfly swords were stuck in the Sergeant’s chest. The purple-eyed Sith looked back at the two with a crazed grin and gave them a thumbs up.

“Just wrapping it up. Notify Shadow that she has a new play partner!” laughed the Mandalorian as Kat and Derek each turned to throw up.